The Convergence of Mobility and IoT in the Workplace: 5 Potential Benefits for Your Bottom Line

We are living through a major transformation, as we get more mobile and get more connected. This convergence of mobility and the Internet of Things (IoT) is progressing so steadily that we as individuals might not be fully aware of its impact as we naturally adapt to the new technologies and abilities. But businesses don’t have the luxury of that kind of passive role. Rather, organizations must be proactive in understanding the effects of this convergence and the potential benefits for the bottom line in order to take advantage of them.

Businesses will hire the best talent vs. the closest talent

The convergence of mobile devices and IoT means businesses can pursue those employees who are the most talented regardless of where in the world they are located. That means being free to hire best talent, not just the local talent. Unfettered from the time and place limitations imposed by a traditional office mentality, organizations can now leverage the input (and output) of the finest employees in the world.

Employees will be able work when most productive

The complete freedom from a geographical limitation can also mean employees are able to work when they are most productive and effective. For many employees, this flexibility has even more value than compensation when considering job offers. Those who work best in the early morning hours are free to do so, while the night owls are also able to do their best work after dark. If another employee works best with 4-hour chunks of time and a long break between, that is what he or she is free to do. This flexibility leads to more productive employees and also happier ones, both of which benefit the bottom line.

Mobility + the IoT will mean remote access to data, tools and services

Eliminating a physical office setting requires access to the data, tools and services employees need to do their jobs, and the convergence of mobility and IoT can meet that need. This can break down barriers, speed up processes and improve efficiencies. Decisions can be made faster and reactions to market changes can happen in real time.

Mobile cloud computing will lighten IT’s load

The anywhere, anytime access to data and tools will be enabled in part by mobile cloud computing (also known as enterprise mobile). Mobile cloud computing can make vast amounts of data easily accessible to employees while also decreasing they IT department’s workload as no longer manage all the servers that host all that data.

This convergence will drive innovation in the marketplace

Once this corporate shift has taken place, with a mobile workforce enabled by the Internet of Things, the next natural progression is to move this innovation into the marketplace for the benefit of customers. What this looks like depends on the business, industry and customer need. However, it’s likely that your customers are as mobile as your employees, and anything you can do to also enable easier customer access to data, tools and services will benefit your business and give you a competitive edge.

By 2020, more than 24 billion Internet-connected devices will be in use around the world. That’s equivalent to over 4 devices for every human being. In just over 8 years, we will be exponentially more Internet-enabled no matter where we are—as consumers, but also as employers and employees. Those businesses that recognize the potential of that monumental shift now are the ones who will come out ahead later.

This article was first published on FOW Media.